Building Your Child’s Strengths

Signature Strengths

By Dr. Kirk Austin

Michael was in trouble again. The school had called Karen, the foster parent, to report his “bullying” behavior on the playground. In speaking to the principal, Karen learned that Michael had been playing aggressively with the other children. As others had reported, Michael would yell at other kids and push them if they refused to let him play in their games. The school personnel were clearly frustrated and hoped that Karen could offer some assistance in addressing the problem. She agreed to talk to him.

Finding time at the end of the day Karen talked to Michael in a moment of calm. It was their ritual to have a talk about the ‘best of their day’ when Michael was ready for bed. Karen asked him about what he liked about the day, what was good, and whether he had highlights. To her surprise Michael identified playing “Super Hero’s” with the other kids on the playground. He had no recollection of acting aggressively with other kids, but rather, thought of his interactions as play. To him, the other kids were the bad guys, and he was merely playing the Super Hero. His super power was to push them off of the play structures so that they couldn’t do harm to the imaginary citizens of the city. Karen listened, tucked him into bed, and wished him a good night sleep.

Karen knew that changing the aggressive ‘behavior’ was at the top of the school’s interests. But she also knew that behavior was an expression of the thoughts and feelings that lie beneath the surface. She knew that Michael needed support in learning to ‘attach’ with others in healthy ways. She also knew that he needed support in building a positive and healthy identity. As she reflected, Karen thought of using Michael’s imagery of being a superhero to help positively influence his connections at school. Perhaps if there were a way of helping him to identify a ‘strength’ that he wanted to use, his interactions with others might become less toxic. She thought of Signature Strengths as a starting point.

The VIA Signature Strengths are a classification of 24 character strengths identified by Christopher Peterson and Martin Seligman in their book Character Strengths and Virtues: A Handbook and Classification (2004). Their research identified 24 strength-based characteristics that were morally valued by individuals and institutions in 40 different countries. According to research, when these strengths are identified and invested by an individual, corresponding reductions occur in depression while increases occur in individual happiness. Karen thought that by identifying Michaels ‘strengths’ and exploring their application, he might better attach to his peers while reducing schoolyard conflict.

The next morning, Karen talked to Michael about what he liked most about the super hero that he played. He noted that he liked being the world’s leader in taking on and stopping the bad guys. Karen also explored if he ever concealed his identity, like other superheroes such as Superman (Clark Kent) or Batman (Bruce Wayne). He hadn’t thought of it, but the idea made sense to him and he liked it. Looking over the list of strengths Karen identified “leadership” and “self regulation” as closest to the ones he most admired.

Setting out a plan, she encouraged Michael to conceal (self regulation) his Hero identity during the next morning at school. She also had worked a plan with the school, that his teacher would ask Michael to use his power of leadership in organizing a small craft time for part of the afternoon. To the school’s surprise, the day had no incidents that included Michael. The next day, Karen and the school planned other activities that allowed Michael to use his strengths of leadership and self regulation. Reading to younger children, planning short activities and doing school announcements all allowed Michael to invest his strengths. Debriefing the day with Michael, Karen was able to explore what had worked and where he had struggled. The two would then strategies how to use other strengths (creativity, persistence, kindness, etc.) in the following weeks. Over time the school reported that they had far fewer ‘behavioral’ concerns regarding Michael, and that he had become a better student.

Learning and talking about Signature Strengths is a great starting point for many children. Exploring which strengths are employed by their real-life heroes helps to deepen their knowledge. Thinking about creative ways to invest a different strength a week can develop these strengths in applied ways in children and the adults that teach them. The benefits will be experienced by the communities that apply them.

SIGNATURE STRENGTHS

QUALITIES

DESCRIPTION

WISDOM & KNOWLEDGE

Cognitive strengths that entail the acquisition and use of knowledge

Creativity

Thinking of novel and productive ways to do things

Curiosity

Taking an interest in all of ongoing experience

Open-Mindedness

Thinking things through and examining them from all sides

Love of Learning

Mastering new skills, topics, and bodies of knowledge

Perspective

Being able to provide wise counsel to others

COURAGE

Exercising will to accomplish goals despite opposition, external or internal

Authenticity

Speaking the truth and presenting oneself in a genuine way

Bravery

Not shrinking from threat, challenge, difficulty, or pain

Persistence

Finishing what one starts

Zest

Approaching life with excitement and energy

HUMANITY

Interpersonal strengths that involve ‘tending and befriending’ others

Kindness

Doing favors and good deeds for others

Love

Valuing close relations with others

Social Intelligence

Being aware of the motives and feelings of self and others

JUSTICE

Civic strengths that underlie healthy community life

Fairness

Treating all people the same according to notions of fairness and justice

Leadership

Organizing group activities and seeing that they happen

Teamwork

Working well as member of a group or team

TEMPERANCE

Strengths that protect against excess

Forgiveness

Forgiving those who have done wrong

Modesty

Letting one’s accomplishments speak for themselves

Prudence

Being careful about choices; not saying/doing things that might be regretted

Self-Regulation

Regulating what one feels and does

TRANSCENDENCE

Strengths that forge connections to the larger universe and provide meaning

Gratitude

Being aware of and thankful for the good things that happen

Hope

Expecting the best and working to achieve it

Humor

Liking to laugh and tease; bringing smiles to other people

Religiousness

Having coherent beliefs about the higher purpose and meaning of life

Appreciation of Beauty & Excellence

Appreciating beauty, excellence, and/or skilled performance in all domains of life

References

Peterson, C., & Seligman, M.E.P. (2004). Character Strengths and Virtues: A Handbook and Classification. New York: Oxford University Press.